Criminal Justice
13 courses · Cuesta College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
CJ 193 CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECIAL TOPIC
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 0.5 to 4 hours per week: (0.50 - 4.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours)
Examines a special topic in the field of study related to the discipline offering this course.
CJ 202 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 110
Presents an overview of the history, theory, organization and practices of the criminal justice system and the interrelationship between the criminal justice system and society as a whole. Studies the origin, development and application of crime causation theories. Includes exploration and analysis of the roles, structure, and function of criminal justice agencies. Integrates an examination of the criminal justice system with a critical analysis of the system as an instrument of societal control and change.
CJ 204 PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 122
Examines and analyzes due process in criminal proceedings from investigation through trial, sentencing, and appeal. Includes a review of statutory law, and state and federal constitutional case law.
CJ 206 CONCEPTS OF CRIMINAL LAW
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 120
Presents elements of the penal code and general laws about crimes against persons, property, standards of morality, and the state.
CJ 208 LEGAL ASPECTS OF EVIDENCE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 124
Presents kinds of evidence and principles of admissibility, witness competency, privileged communications, and hearsay. Includes the procedures to be followed in evidence collection and preservation.
CJ 210 PRINCIPLES OF INVESTIGATION
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours/0.00 activity hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- AJ 140
Presents investigation fundamentals of crime scene search, collecting/ recording evidence, interviews and interrogation. Covers procedures used in investigating various kinds of criminal activity.
CJ 213 PATROL PROCEDURES
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Studies patrol operations, strategies, objectives, technologies and techniques. Explores effective communication, terrorism management, emergency response strategies and responses to calls for service.
CJ 224 COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 160
Explores the complex dynamic relationships between the community and the justice system. Examines the role that race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class and culture play in the administration of justice. Presents the challenges of administering justice within a diverse and evolving multicultural population and imparts cultural competence and facilitation of conflict resolution.
CJ 226 INVESTIGATIVE REPORT WRITING
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours per week: (2.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Develops proper investigative report writing skills. Draft investigative reports that are used in the administration of justice. Emphasis is on proper use of terminology, attention to detail, clarity, organization, and accuracy in report writing.
CJ 228 INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours per week: (3.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- AJ 200
Presents the history, operation, management, and procedures of the adult and juvenile correctional systems, including probation and parole. Examines the general operation of correctional institutions and the associated legal issues. Includes an examination of correctional policy and its impact on society.
CJ 252 WORK EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- Units
- 0.5 to 4
- Hours
- 1.5 to 12 hours per week: (0.00 - 0.00 lecture hours/0.00 - 0.00 lab hours/1.50 - 12.00 work experience hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides opportunities for students in Criminal Justice to connect academic curricula to experiential learning in the workplace as an internship, Service Learning placement or general employment. Allows students to develop and work on learning objectives in workplace competencies and technical skills relevant for their course of study and career pathway. Students must work 54 hours for each unit of credit earned, in half-unit increments (27 hours), up to a maximum of 4 units. Employment can be paid or unpaid.
CJ 260 INTRODUCTION TO CYBERCRIME
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Provides students with an introduction to the fundamental knowledge needed when assessing, investigating, and safeguarding entities from high-tech and cybercrimes. Topics include the history of computer crimes, cyber threats, cybercrimes, cybersecurity, including the Internet and communication technologies. The course explores hacking methodology, and the psychology behind the cybercriminal. Cybersecurity essentials are explored, including the hardening of systems and daily cyber operations for multiple OS platforms, including Windows and Linux administration, networking fundamentals, and the basics of cloud computing.
CJ 262 ETHICAL HACKING
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours per week: (4.00 lecture hours/0.00 lab hours)
- Transfers to
- CSU
Examines foundational concepts in offensive cybersecurity operations, including penetration testing, risk assessment and management, incident response, and the implementation of security controls. Emphasis is placed on developing hands-on technical skills through practical exercises. Topics include defense-in-depth strategies, network and system attacks, digital fingerprinting, port scanning, enumeration, digital forensics, cryptography, and the identification and mitigation of operating system vulnerabilities.